"At the end of the day, reconciliation can't be discussed without starting with the land."
~Chief Christopher Derickson, Westbank First Nation
How might we connect to the land and create opportunities for ourselves and our students to think about our gratitude for living, loving, playing, and learning on this land? How might we challenge ourselves and our students to be in a reciprocal relationship with the land?
As Anona Kampe, a local syilx Knowledge Keeper, shares: "We take, but we also give."
We respectfully acknowledge that the land on which we gather is the unceded territory of the Syilx (Okanagan) Peoples.
"The Syilx people have always governed our land accordingly to principles that are embedded in traditional knowledge, stories, teachings, ceremonies, and the arts. These principles carry with them a sacred, inherent responsibility to care for the tmxʷulaxʷ, the land.
The nsyilxcen word commonly used to refer to all living things is tmixʷ. tmixʷ includes everything alive – the land, water, animals, people, plants, and so on. The Syilx Okanagan concept of land encompasses more than the physical geography of place, it includes the spiritual connections of everything living on and within it."
Stephen Paquette, Member of the Indigenous Education Council, Wikwemikong First Nation
"Think for a moment about what a land acknowledgment means to you. 'We/I respectfully acknowledge' is about the relationship that we continuously build between people of settler ancestry or people of immigrant families, and the original local Syilx People of this land."
(https://education.ok.ubc.ca/research-partnerships/co-curricular-making/co-curricular-making-resources/)
The buttercup is a harbinger of spring and is found at low elevations in the Okanagan region.
Locally, the whole buttercup plant is used externally for sore joints and pains throughout the body.
The plant is mashed and dampened with water and applied as a poultice to affected areas.
Learn more about Indigenous plants in this local Indigenous Garden Plant Guide and in this Ethnobotany Slide Deck.
Find the PDF of the Ta’tupa - 2022 Spirit Bear Moon Calendar here.
You can also purchase the ONA moon calendar poster here and see a resource calendar here.
“[Captikwł time] stops when the buttercups come out.” ~Elder Rob Edwards
The word origin of métissage comes from the Latin mixticius, meaning the weaving of cloth from different fibers.
In the Métis culture, "the presentation of a sash is considered a great honor and is worn with pride (1)." Sashes were created with fibers with a variety of colours and usually took ~200 hours to complete.
"These days, the sash is mostly used ceremonially, as decoration and to show pride in Métis heritage—worn around the waist or over the shoulder—but the beautiful, bright piece of clothing has a very rich history (2)."
Like the woven sash, a métissage invites learners to braid strands of their own thinking with that of others.
"The 4 Food Chiefs are considered our relatives. We consider them as our parents, as a part of our family, which is why we protect them so fiercely." ~Anona Kampe, Locak Knowledge Keeper
Only take what you need in case others need them (including our plant and animal relations).
Try to use as much of what you take as you possibly can so there is little to no waste.
The things you don’t use, give them back. Giving back is called reciprocity. If I take something, I must give something. I take, but I also give."
"Thank the plants and animals when you take them." (BC First Nations Land, Title, and Governance, p. 114)
Take some time to reflect. As you read or listen to the Honorable Harvest Métissage, think about: What stood out to you?
What did you learn that you didn't know before?
What makes you curious to learn more? What questions do you have?
How might you use a métissage with your own students?
What might you want to teach your students about the Honorable Harvest? How will you do that?
Add your thoughts into the menti below by going to www.menti.com and using the code 4166 9281.
Rochelle Popoff: “Sometimes you just have to jump in and try. The kids will help you find the way.”
Mallory Herzog to Ashley Lane: "I love the story of Dom. Thank you for sharing it. I feel that we all have learners that benefit so much from teachers taking risks and teaching them in ways they may have not experienced before. Thank you for being brave for your students!"
Kimberly Buchanan: "Thank you Jenni for being so fierce and leading with your heart. Your kids are so lucky to learn with you every day."
Kate Ivanovic: "Love that all you need to do is connect with nature, share its emotions and really care for it. 'The Golden Rule' -treat it as you would want to be treated."
Huge thanks to Jenn Davis and Sylvia Keating for being brave and sharing their story with us!
We are all doing incredible things in our classrooms, and we believe that a big part of this Network is that we will be able to inspire each other with the possibilities of nature-based learning.
To that end, we are hoping that you will add your reflections to this slide deck so we can continue to inspire each other. You can also find the slide deck on the Reflect and Inspire page.
Remember, if you want to create and/or join a nature team so you can connect with and inspire others in person, go to our Nature Team Jam Board.
Were you surprised by anything? Did you have any a-ha moments? Are you still questioning anything?
Take some time to reflect on your learning.
Please share your thoughts here: www.menti.com (enter code 9969 8544)
Select your resource from one of the additional bookshelves (Additional Resources and Only for the Curious) that we have created to house the resources that we really like and have curated for our Nature Network.
Please note: You can also find these bookshelves on the resource page of this website.
Wednesday Session:
Larissa Babichuk
Cat Marrs
Thursday Session:
Brittany Amorim
Katie Nault